'46 Counter Battery Radar on Halftrack

[buzzbomb]

Been a bit slow with doing stuff but got this one out

Continuing on the theme of the Russians attacking the west in mid 1945. There was much work being done on using radar for counterbattery work. There was already radar for AA gun control and by happy accident it was found that with a bit of tweaking it could also be used for to locate enemy mortars. Now for this sort of technology to be of any use it had to be mobile. Plus it was delicate gear so it needed protection. The US M3 family of halftracks were utilised to mount the radar in a mobile platform, plus have an operator on board, it pushed them over weight, somewhat limiting their mobility, but it was worth it for the great service they performed

What I have is a Tamiya 1/35 Mortar Half Track. So cobbled up a radar with a roof mounting

Operator station

Most of the work done and the Gene Trailer

Pretty much that was the build finished


... and finished

Look.. it has lights! The batteries are in the Gene Trailer. Used one of the Tea Light LED Candles as bits for the batteries and switch




Went for Royal Artillery Markings, attached to the 79th Armoured Division as it is a specialist Vehicle.

[TallEng]

Looks good
I expect that it would need some protection? As I would think it would quickly become
A favorite target for ground attack aircraft.
May another couple of Half tracks or light tanks with AA and the radar set to go with them?

Regards
Keith

[NARSES2]

That is really nice 

[zenrat]

Excellent.
I love the way these half tracks look like they've had a roof chop.  They'd look even better lowered with white wall tyres and tracks...
But I digress.
Lovely bit of scratchbuilding on the trailer and the lights are just the icing on the cake.

[Captain Canada]

A perfect whif ! Very nice all around.....a cool subject ( I forgot how much I like them US half-tracks ! ) to start with, and a bunch of scratch building, and an interesting scenario. And the paint and weathering are perfect ! The light inside is a nice touch as well. I saw the wires in the first pic and was wondering if they were for that purpose or to just hold things together....and having the batteries in the generator trailer makes too much sense !



What did you use for weathering ?

[Scooterman]

Bravo sir! 

[Captain Canada]

Bravo is right ! That thing just looks so right....love it. I went to a used hobby shop that used to have loads of 35th scale armour....and it was all gone ! Arr....

Still looking for weathering tips too 

[sandiego89]

Wow, really great idea and execution.   

[dumaniac]

Hi Buzzbomb

so is most of the conversion plasticard and good cutting or is it an aftermarket thing ?

cheers

Dumaniac

[buzzbomb]

Thanks for the great feedback folks.

so is most of the conversion plasticard and good cutting or is it an aftermarket thing ?

All plastic card and hacked kit. Pure figment of imagination

The weathering is a normal amount of post shade paint with pigments and washes.
Normally I start with pin washes of burnt umber and/or raw sienna oil paint to run into nooks and crannies.
Then i go for a variety of pigments (Mostly Mig) mixed with turps over an acrylic finish.
Dab it on, using various shades and brush off excess leaving a nice dusty look.
You can add layers as well for a built up muddy look.

[dumaniac]

super

thanks

[Mossie]

Beautiful work, looks plausible to me.